Eye Safety Tips for Halloween

Halloween is a fun and social holiday for children and adults alike. It is a time for costumes, trick-or-treating and parties. However, it can also be dangerous. Every year several hundred trips are made to the ER for eye-related injuries stemming from Halloween costumes, masks and makeup.

Follow these Halloween Eye Safety Tips:

Trick-or-treat during the day to ensure proper lighting and to ensure better navigation of the sidewalks.

If you are going trick-or-treating at night, bring a flashlight so paths are clearly lit. Flashlights also make children more visible to drivers.

Ensure that costumes are bright and reflective for increased visibility by drivers.

Young trick-or-treaters should be accompanied by an adult so that they can be assisted. Older children should trick-or-treat in groups to ensure safety.

Wear costumes that fit properly or ensure that costumes do not drag on the ground which may cause children to trip.

Ensure that any hats, scarves or ties are secure so that they will not impede children's vision.

Avoid props that are pointed or sharp such as swords or wands which may harm other children's eyes.

Be careful when using decorative contact lenses. Contact lenses are medical devices and can cause vision loss if not used safely. If you are going to use such lenses, ensure that your optometrist fits and evaluates the contacts for you.

Obey all traffic laws, whether driving or walking.

Do not allow children to use bikes, skateboards, scooters or rollerblades when they are wearing their costumes.

Use makeup with care. Be sure to use hypoallergenic makeup and avoid the eyes. Have wipes handy to clean your child's face should it begin to melt or run down their face during the course of the evening. If using false eyelashes be sure to follow the instructions.